Studying an MBBS program from abroad will help you obtain internationally recognized degrees, lucrative employment opportunities, and a lot more. Explore the best countries to study MBBS in abroad, along with the top universities, eligibility requirements, scholarships, etc.
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In India, science students prefer to pursue an MBBS program as it is one of the most respected career choices. In addition to being well paid, medical professionals can make a huge difference in people's lives. There are many good medical colleges in India for students to study MBBS, but the number of students applying to foreign universities has increased in recent years. The reason is cutthroat competition in government medical colleges of India and the high fee structure of the private institutions. This article acts as a guide to study MBBS in abroad for Indian students. If you are willing to pursue an MBBS degree from abroad, this article is for you!
Why Study MBBS from Abroad?
The MBBS degree from abroad offers a wide range of advantages. Understanding the scope of the career before joining can be extremely helpful. A few of these advantages are highlighted below:
- Low Cost: A medical degree can be very expensive, but studying MBBS abroad is relatively cheaper. Hence, students can benefit from world-class facilities at a reasonable cost.
- Dynamic Culture: It is an enriching and worthwhile experience to live and study abroad in any foreign country as one gets to meet many people, learn about diverse cultures, and experience different practices.
- Global Network: It is a great opportunity to meet medical professionals all around the world and to learn from them.
- Increased Demand and Salary: The international medical degree will allow you to take advantage of the most lucrative employment opportunities.
Top 6 countries to Study Low-Cost MBBS in Abroad
Medical universities or countries that meet your preferences can be a challenge because different countries have different education systems. A few countries, however, charge reasonable tuition for MBBS courses. Also, these medical schools have been accredited by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and have hassle-free admission procedures.
The best countries to study low-cost MBBS abroad are listed below:
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Philippines
- Kyrgyzstan
- Kazakhstan
- Germany
Russia
Russia has an excellent medical education system and affordable tuition fees. It is among the most popular destinations for Indian students seeking an MBBS degree. The Russian medical universities are recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNESCO. Aside from the low tuition fee charged by Russia for its medical courses, the cost of living here is also very low compared to European living standards.
Highlights of MBBS Program in Russia
The table below shows the major highlights of the MBBS course in Russia:
| Duration | Six years (including a year of internship) |
|---|---|
| Eligibility Criteria | Must have completed 12th grade with biology as a compulsory subject. Passed the qualifying exam with at least 50% marks |
| Entrance Exam | NEET |
| MBBS Fees (per year) | Rs 3-8 Lakhs |
| Cost of Living (per month) | USD 150 to USD 400 |
| Medium of Instructions | English |
| Recognition | NMC and WHO-approved |
Top Colleges to Study MBBS in Russia
Some of the top universities to pursue MBBS in Russia are:
- Altai State Medical University
- Ulyanovsk State Medical University
- Peoples' Friendship University of Russia
- Perm State Medical University
- Bashkir State Medical University
Ukraine
Over the past few years, Ukraine has gained popularity among Indian students aspiring to study MBBS. Due to its infrastructure, low tuition fees, and high standard of education, it has become one of the most preferred destinations to study medicine abroad. The Ukrainian government provides a great deal of support for international students throughout their studies. It provides support to the medical colleges in terms of financial assistance, research, academic work, and development.
Highlights of MBBS Program in Ukraine
The table below shows the major highlights of the MBBS course in Ukraine:
| Duration | Five years eight months (including internship) |
|---|---|
| Eligibility Criteria | Must have completed 12th grade with biology as a compulsory subject. Passed the qualifying exam with at least 50% marks. The student’s age must be above 17 years as of 31st December of the admission year. |
| Entrance Exam | NEET |
| MBBS Fees | Rs 3-5 Lakhs |
| Cost of Living | USD 350 to USD 500 |
| Medium of Instructions | English |
| Recognition | NMC and WHO-approved |
Top Colleges to Study MBBS in Ukraine
Some of the top universities to pursue MBBS in Ukraine are:
- Bogomolets National Medical University
- Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University
- Kharkiv National Medical University
- Lviv National Medical University
- Odessa National Medical University
- Ternopil State Medical University
- Vinnytsia National Medical University
Philippines
An MD degree program is offered in the Philippines, equivalent to an MBBS degree in India. The Philippines has an excellent international reputation for quality education, training and research, making it one of the most popular countries for Indian students to study MBBS. Indian students consider the Philippines for pursuing the MBBS program because of the low tuition fees structure and high quality of education provided by the medical colleges in the country.
Highlights of MBBS Program in the Philippines
The table below shows the major highlights of the MBBS course in the Philippines:
| Duration | Five years eight months (including internship) |
|---|---|
| Eligibility Criteria | Must have completed 12th grade with biology as a compulsory subject. Passed the qualifying exam with at least 50% marks. The student’s age must be above 17 years as of 31st December of the admission year. |
| Entrance Exam | NEET |
| MBBS Fees (per year) | Rs 3-5 Lakhs |
| Cost of Living (per month) | USD 350 to USD 500 |
| Medium of Instructions | English |
| Recognition | NMC and WHO-approved |
Top Colleges to Study MBBS in the Philippines
Some of the top universities to pursue MBBS in the Philippines are:
- AMA School of Medicine
- Davao Medical School Foundation INC
- Emilio Aguinaldo College
- Our Lady Fatima University
- University of Perpetual Help
Kyrgyzstan
Compared to other foreign destinations, Kyrgyzstan offers low-cost medical education, making it an attractive destination for Indian students interested in obtaining a medical degree. International students account for about 5 percent of the total number of seats at the medical universities in the country. The universities in Kyrgyzstan award degrees that are recognized worldwide, and after the competition of the course, students can obtain a license to practice in India.
Highlights of MBBS Program in Kyrgyzstan
The table below shows the major highlights of the MBBS course in Kyrgyzstan:
| Duration | Six years (including internship) |
|---|---|
| Eligibility Criteria | Must have completed 12th grade with biology as a compulsory subject. Passed the qualifying exam with at least 50% marks |
| Entrance Exam | NEET |
| MBBS Fees (per year) | Rs 3.5-6 Lakhs |
| Cost of Living (per month) | USD 150 to USD 400 |
| Medium of Instructions | English |
| Recognition | NMC and WHO-approved |
Top Colleges to Study MBBS in Kyrgyzstan
Some of the top universities to pursue MBBS in Kyrgyzstan are:
- Kyrgyzstan State Medical Academy
- Asian Medical institute
- Kharkiv National Medical University
- Osh State University
Kazakhstan
Due to its affordable tuition fees, Kazakstan is undoubtedly one of the most desirable destinations for those interested in studying medicine. The country is home to some of the most prestigious medical universities that provide high-quality education, outstanding opportunities, and multicultural exposure.
Additionally, Kazakhstan has an established education system, which provides graduates with career opportunities worldwide. As part of their course curriculums, top universities offering MBBS programs also offer students numerous opportunities for clinical experience at renowned hospitals.
Highlights of MBBS Program in Kazakhstan
The table below shows the major highlights of the MBBS course in Kazakhstan:
| Duration | Five to six years (including internship) |
|---|---|
| Eligibility Criteria | Secured at least 60% marks in 12th grade with physics, chemistry and biology as compulsory subjects |
| Entrance Exam | NEET |
| MBBS Fees (per year) | Rs 2.5-5 Lakhs |
| Cost of Living (per month) | USD 150 to USD 250 |
| Medium of Instructions | English |
| Recognition | NMC and WHO-approved |
Top Colleges to Study MBBS in Kazakhstan
Some of the top universities to pursue MBBS in Kazakhstan are:
- Astana Medical University
- Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
- Semey State Medical University
- S.D.Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University
- Karaganda State Medical University
Germany
Germany is home to some of the finest medical colleges in the world. Indian medical aspirants wish to study MBBS in Germany because of the low cost of studies and high quality of education provided by the German universities. Students studying at public universities in Germany, whether domestic or international, are not required to pay tuition fees.
There is a fee charged only in private German universities, which is on par with the fee in other countries. There are NMC-approved medical colleges in Germany. Therefore, an Indian student who completes MBBS from Germany can obtain a license in India after passing the FMGE examination.
Highlights of MBBS Program in Germany
The table below shows the major highlights of the MBBS course in Germany:
| Duration | Six years (including a year of internship) |
|---|---|
| Eligibility Criteria | Must have completed 12th grade with biology as a compulsory subject. Passed the qualifying exam with at least 50% marks. The student’s age must be above 17 years as of 31st December of the admission year. |
| Entrance Exam | NEET, TOEFL/IELTS |
| MBBS Fees (per year) | Rs 5-10 Lakhs |
| Cost of Living (per month) | 300-450 Euros |
| Medium of Instructions | English and German |
| Recognition | NMC and WHO-approved |
Top Colleges to Study MBBS in Germany
Some of the top universities to pursue MBBS in Germany are:
- Heidelberg University
- University of Luebeck
- Magdeburg University
- Munster University
- Wurzburg University
Eligibility Criteria
Before applying for an MBBS degree abroad, prospective students need to know the eligibility criteria. Here are some major eligibility requirements:
- Students should have passed their 12th grade with a minimum percentage of marks, as set by the respective university.
- To develop a foundation, students must have studied science as a subject in their last years of high school.
- NEET is the standard entrance examination for medical entrance exams in many countries. Students must pass it to be eligible for pursuing an MBBS program.
- The MCAT is another internationally recognized test that is required to study medicine in countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United States.
- The majority of countries with English as their primary language require candidates to submit English proficiency scores like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc.
- Students also need to provide reference letters and purpose statements.
Top MBBS Colleges in Abroad for Indian Students
Now that you are familiar with the eligibility requirements, let us find out the best MBBS colleges in abroad for Indian students. The following are the top-ranked medical schools in the world, according to THE World University Rankings 2021:
| University | Country | THE World University Rankings 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | United Kingdom | 1 |
| Harvard University | United States of America | 2 |
| University of Cambridge | United Kingdom | 3 |
| Imperial College London | United Kingdom | 4 |
| Stanford University | United States of America | 5 |
| University of Toronto | Canada | 6 |
| Yale University | United States of America | 7 |
| Johns Hopkins University | United States of America | 8 |
| University College London | United Kingdom | 9 |
| Karolinska Institute | Sweden | 10 |
Best Scholarships to Study MBBS in Abroad for Indian Students
There are a plethora of scholarships available for Indian students to pursue their MBBS program abroad. These scholarships are provided by the government, private organizations, and the respective universities. Some of these scholarships are partially funded, while others are fully-funded. Listed below are the most prominent scholarships to study MBBS in abroad for Indian students:
- Algoma University Chancellor’s Award
- NCI Master’s Edge Scholarship
- JGC-S Scholarship Foundation
- Sato Yo International Scholarship Foundation
- Pearl International Award
- Global Study Awards
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